A scalable governance framework enables consistency and accountability, empowering teams to unlock the full value of data.

AMSTERDAM: #BearingPoint--Delhaize, the well-known supermarket chain operating across Belgium and Luxembourg and part of the Ahold Delhaize Group, recognized the need to treat data as a strategic asset to unlock business value. Over time, rapid growth and a decentralized structure led to siloed operations, as each division relied on its own legacy systems and ad-hoc practices. Without unified governance or standard processes, insights became fragmented and inconsistent, making it hard to ensure accuracy, accountability, and transparency.

The organization relied on a wide range of systems, from spreadsheets and databases to ERP modules, which kept information isolated within each platform. This lack of integration limited visibility across the business, resulting in inefficiencies and making it difficult to centralize analytics.

As a result, teams had to spend significant time reconciling inconsistent metrics, diverting resources away from higher-value work. Recognizing the cost of unreliable insights, from project delays and wasted resources to potential lost trust and missed opportunities, Delhaize made a strategic commitment to building a data-driven culture.

Building a scalable framework from insight to impact

Over the course of a multi-year collaboration, BearingPoint helped Delhaize transform its data governance. The project began with a thorough review of existing practices, utilizing audits and surveys to identify gaps in quality, monitoring, and ownership of business information.

With these insights in hand, BearingPoint and Delhaize moved to implement a formal data governance framework, establishing key roles such as data owners and data stewards, and adapting global policies to meet local needs. The new roles focus on understanding and resolving data quality issues, ensuring strategic alignment and accountability while also promoting the adoption of new standards and processes.

To ensure a lasting impact, BearingPoint helped Delhaize to use its service management system, ServiceNow, to fix data management related incidents. The project team also conducted training and change management initiatives to build data literacy and embed governance practices.

With the strategy in place, BearingPoint implemented a structured data governance framework for Delhaize Belgium and Luxembourg. It then adapted and started rolling it out to Alfa Beta Vassilopoulos (Greece) and Mega Image (Romania), both part of the Ahold Delhaize Group.

“With a structured governance framework embedded in the business, Delhaize can now rely on accurate, consistent data to create compliant business value,” said Jan Henderyckx, Partner at BearingPoint. “By integrating governance into the business, Delhaize now transforms trusted data into compliant, strategic outcomes.”

Fostering operational efficiency through strategic governance

The newly implemented framework makes data a central part of Delhaize’s operations, bringing consistency, accountability, and reliable data. Efficiency improved through clearly defined roles, standardized processes, and reliable tools for documenting records and tracking issues.

The data governance framework emphasizes the importance of accurate analytics and lays the groundwork for a data-driven culture, where information is accessible throughout the organization and its full potential can be realized.

Collaboration has grown stronger thanks to the communities that promote cross-functional teamwork and shared responsibility for data management. As data literacy and ownership increased, day-to-day operations improved, and Delhaize is now better positioned to use its insights for innovation and future growth.

“The combination of technical expertise, data proficiency, deep understanding of the grocery retail industry, and the ability to seamlessly integrate with the teams represents a unique value proposition that BearingPoint delivers to organizations like Delhaize,” said Xavier Valentini, Director Data & Analytics at Delhaize.

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About Delhaize

In September 2025, Delhaize De Leeuw will have no fewer than 32,000 employees and 809 stores in Belgium and Luxembourg. The store network consists of the following formats: Delhaize supermarkets, Proxy Delhaize and Shop&Go. Customers can shop online at delhaize.be and collect their products at collection points or have them delivered to their homes. Delhaize customers can count on an extensive range of more than 20,000 quality products. Delhaize has a market share of 22.5% (source: Nielsen).

About BearingPoint

BearingPoint is an independent management and technology consultancy with European roots and a global reach that transforms businesses using technology intelligently. The firm operates across three core units: Consulting, Products, and Capital. Its Consulting services focus on selected areas, combining business and technology expertise with profound industry knowledge. The Products unit provides IP-driven solutions and managed services for business-critical processes. Capital delivers deal advisory and transaction services. In addition to its core operations, BearingPoint runs two joint ventures: Arcwide, a JV with IFS, which specializes in business transformation based on IFS technology, and BearingPoint North America, a JV with ABeam, which is dedicated to consulting excellence and business transformation built on SAP.

BearingPoint serves many of the world’s leading companies and organizations. Together with its strategic alliance partner ABeam Consulting, the firm brings together 15,000 professionals and supports clients in over 70 countries, delivering seamless business transformation with sustainable impact.

BearingPoint is a certified B Corporation, driven by a strong sense of purpose – today and into the future.

For more information, please visit:
Homepage: www.bearingpoint.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bearingpoint

Fonte: Business Wire